Chicago Foundation for Women Statement on Signing of Illinois House Bill 40:

September 29 2017

Chicago Foundation for Women Statement on Illinois House Bill 40:

Chicago Foundation for Women thanks Illinois Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and State Senator Heather Steans (D-Chicago) for sponsoring legislation to protect reproductive choice for all Illinois women, regardless of their income or type of insurance, as well as thanks Governor Rauner for keeping his promise to women by signing House Bill 40 into law.

“For too long, Illinois law discriminated against women with government-funded insurance and denied health coverage for the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion,” CFW President/CEO K. Sujata said. “Access to safe, quality abortion care, as protected by House Bill 40, is critical to women’s health and economic security.”

Restricting Medicaid coverage of abortion forced one in four poor women seeking abortion to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term, and one in three women who pay for abortion care out-of-pocket report delaying paying bills such as rent and food.

“No one should have to make a choice between keeping food on the table or getting safe, quality care,” added Sujata.

Thank you to everyone who fought for this critical legislation, and who continue to fight for basic rights and equal opportunities for all women and girls.

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